The current United States flag has 13 stripes. They alternate between red and white and represent the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Great Britain.
The Continental Congress specified thirteen stripes in the Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777. That resolution also called for thirteen white stars on a blue field, representing a new constellation. Flag Day is observed each year on June 14 in recognition of this action.
The number of stripes briefly increased to 15 in 1795, after Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union. Congress restored the design to 13 stripes in 1818, while allowing a new star to be added for each new state.
A common mix-up is confusing the flag's 13 stripes with its 50 stars. The stars represent the current states, while the stripes preserve the number of original colonies. The present 50-star arrangement dates from 1960, after Hawaii became a state.